Central Arizona College recently celebrated the topping out of the Superstition Mountain Campus expansion project in Apache Junction, which will provide new buildings for allied health and skilled trades. CAC also celebrated the recent completion of renovation work to the college’s existing C building.

Design-build partners McCarthy Building Cos. and Architekton teamed up with CAC on the $40 million, 51,620-square-foot expansion at 805 S. Idaho Road in Apache Junction.

“We are excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to the completion of the new skilled trades and allied health buildings,” Dr. Jackie Elliott, president of CAC, said in a release. “CAC will continue to provide a world class learner experience by expanding educational opportunities for the residents of Apache Junction, Pinal County, and the state of Arizona through existing and new programs that will be housed in these facilities.”

Once completed, the allied health building will provide integrated learning classrooms and labs for massage therapy, aesthetician, nursing assistance, pharmacy, phlebotomy, medical assistant, radiology and sonography. Additionally, simulation centers will replicate realistic healthcare environments, including hospital and operating rooms, and clinical settings equipped with advanced simulation technologies such as computerized patient simulators, high-fidelity mannequins and more. The massage therapy and aesthetician programs will offer a “Superstition Spa” experience for local residents to utilize. Students will gain critical-thinking, decision-making and patient-care skills in a safe and controlled environment, the release states.

The skilled trades building will provide classrooms, labs and exterior yards for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, ceramics and arts programming. Workshops will mirror real-world work environments that allow students to develop industry-specific skills and practical experience.

Renovation work on the existing C building was recently completed and the building now includes a new computer lab, virtual reality lab, an expanded E-Sports Lab, as well as faculty and public safety offices. The virtual reality lab and computer lab will now provide students access to industry-standard equipment, including software and simulation tools that foster innovation and problem-solving skills. While the café, student lounge, and student organization space all remained, the exterior was enhanced with a new, large exterior canopy allowing for an expanded outdoor seating area that capitalizes on views of the surrounding Superstition Mountains.

“Topping out is a significant milestone for construction projects and this project is especially meaningful since it will serve career and technical education students interested in pursuing careers in the trades and healthcare sector,” said Andrea Ramos, project director for McCarthy. “We are one step closer to providing two new buildings where students, who represent our future workforce, will learn under the direct supervision of the college’s talented staff.”

Completion of the new skilled trades and allied health buildings is slated for late 2024 in time for the start of classes in January 2025. Upon completion of the expansion, three existing buildings will be demolished and replaced with landscaping. Major subcontractors on the project include RN Electric, S&H Steel, Stone Cold Masonry and Pete King.

“We extend our gratitude to Central Arizona College and our dedicated McCarthy contractor team for achieving this noteworthy milestone of topping out,” said Daniel Childers, senior associate architect with Architekton. “This brings us one step closer to unveiling these exceptional trades, arts and healthcare facilities to the students and faculty of CAC, and the surrounding communities of Apache Junction. It has been the unwavering commitment and collaborative efforts of this incredible team that has brought us to this instrumental and memorable juncture. Thank you for your enthusiasm and expertise as we continue this journey towards opening these facilities to a brighter future.”